I am a long time Kings fan going back to ‘Maguire’s Mess’ as we watched in horror as the team traded a first round pick for a washed up veteran on his last legs only to see Ray Bourque and Tom Barrasso lined up with those choices.
Take away all the family events – birthdays, anniversaries, etc. – and Monday, June 11, 2012 is the biggest day of my life.
I know sport is a business, but waking up Wednesday morning to the news that Jonathan Quick was traded was like waking up to a death in the family, because for Kings fans, Quick is just that – a member of our ‘family’. I know Quick is a shadow of his former self and with him or Pheonix Copley in net the Kings had 0% chance of winning this season, or even seriously competing for a cup. At the end of the season, Quick would almost certainly retire or be released. But this still hurts and hurts a lot.
Jonathan, you may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. Every time Kings fans flock to section 326 in the Crypto.com Arena to have our photo taken with both Cup banners behind us, we’ll know you were a big reason for it.
Eric Schumann
Fountain Valley
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Great Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick’s trade just showcases the “what have you done for me lately” nature of professional sports. Unfortunately, Quick was a problem going into the playoffs. That said, we can expect his name and jersey to hang with Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar and other Kings greats once their playing days are over. Thanks for the memories, Quickie!
Mike Gamboa
Buena Park
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Thanks, Jonathan Quick, for some great years. Thanks for two Stanley Cups. I enjoyed cheering along with the rest of the crowd at Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena) at the fantastic stops you made.
Also kudos to Helene Elliott for the great article paying respect to you and what you did and accomplished for our kings.
Bob Martinez
Glendale
With or without him?
Without Russell Westbrook, the previously lost Lakers win. With Russell Westbrook, the higher-ranked Clippers lose. Do you notice a pattern?
Roger Kraemer
Bree
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We keep hearing: Will the Lakers make the playoffs? A bigger question might be, will the Clippers make the playoffs? Coach says it will take a while for Russell Westbrook to adjust. Has he noticed how little time is left or is he still focused on adjusting rotations?
The Clippers were thought to have a deep, star-studded roster, but given their recent losing streak, maybe they actually need better players? Or a better coach?
Jack Wishard
Los Angeles
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LeBron James’ latest plight reminds me of a line from a Little Feat song: “Well, you know you’re over the hill when your mind makes a promise your body can’t fulfill.”
Rich Holland
Alice Viejo
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I tuned into the Lakers game to check out the “new look” product that will propel the team to the playoffs. The “new look” resulted in 26 turnovers and a loss. Guys going behind the door as the pass went to them out the front door, etc. seemed pretty familiar to me.
Steve Briseno
Mission Viejo
No Lux at all
So maybe the cash-strapped Dodgers might understand that going cheap was a big blunder since Gavin Lux is out and both Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts were available to the highest bidder. I see many season ticket holders getting sicker by the minute. Andrew Friedman isn’t the smartest guy in the room.
Fred Wallin
West Lake Village
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Were it not for the fact that the Dodgers traded promising 18-year-old international shortstop prospect Oneil Cruz in 2017 (a hulking slugger who has become a legitimate 30-30 threat in Pittsburgh) for a replacement pitcher who put together just 20 innings for them Lux’s injury could be seen as an unfortunate setback for a decent utility player rather than the man they hoped would be the pivotal linchpin of his infield.
Steve Ross
Carmel
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Lux is an asshole. I may have been cut from my high school baseball team 45 years ago and now just play in senior softball leagues, but I would never, ever change my running path to avoid a pitch by an outfielder or infielder. Take the shot and avoid the way out. It’s perfectly legal unless you’re hip enough to pull a Reggie Jackson.
Paul Brands
Grenada hills
New rules
It doesn’t take a traditionalist to see that the new rules passed this year were imposed to save baseball from its own players and managers. Endless walks by pitchers over the mound or countless throws to first base are eliminated. Batters stepping out of the box after every pitch to adjust their batting gloves, even when not swinging, are a thing of the past. And batters no longer have to worry about bumping or batting to the opposing field now that fielders are glued to certain areas of the infield.
It’s important that baseball adapts to the times, no matter how old you are. But ironically, it’s baseball itself that’s changing, as the players wouldn’t adapt to improved defenses and strategies, and the fans just got tired of a four-hour game.
Bob Goldstone
Corona del Mar
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I can see the game getting shorter with the pitch clock, but wouldn’t eliminating the offset, which results in more hits, lengthen the game? I don’t see much net benefit from these new MLB rules.
Vaughan Hardenberg
Westwood
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It’s nice to see baseball speeding up the game with limited pick-offs and a 15-second pitch clock. This can also help you save money on that extra $15 for that hot dog and soda and the $15 for that extra beer. So it is a win-win situation. Baseball is now becoming the National Fastime.
Craig London
Wooded hills
GOAT discussion
Reader Jim Redhead referenced Steve Henson’s Genesis Invitational story that did not name Jack Nicklaus as the greatest golfer of all time because he has won the most majors, not Tiger Woods. Jack faced off against Gary Player, Tom Watson, Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino, all multiple big winners. Very difficult to compare golfers of different eras.
While Jack has more majors, Tiger has more wins 82 to 73. The field is now so deep with any number of players that can win a tournament or a major. The players are all training now, training very hard and have competition from all over the world. I think Tiger is the best of all time.
Matt Kerster
Redondo Beach
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